First time I've ever hated my car... need help ASAP

[EL1NOR]

Tri-Y header installation:

1967 Mustang Fastback
289 - 2V
recent 3 to 4-speed install
Factory A/C
And this weird "Thermactor Exhaust Emission Control System"

I went to install the driver's side header and after having to tear apart MANY different hoses, braces, pieces, etc... I got the damn thing in. I put some sealer on the gasket and installed the header. It took FOREVER. I look at the passenger side exhaust manifold and it has this big metal piece attached to it with a big metal tube that connects to my air cleaner, and then two different lines/hoses that go from the manifold up to this "backfire suppressor valve". My car has that emission control system that bleeds air from the cylinder heads and exhaust manifold.... How can I install my other header?? What about the hoses, etc??

If you have the Ford manual, go to page 8-65 and 8-66 to see what I'm talking about.


This is pissing me off.. that and the fact that when I turned my car on, there's a leak on the drivers side Tri-Y towards the firewall...

-Tim

 

[D.Hearne]

Just remove all the emissions stuff ( sell it on ebay) Then install the right side header. And this time DO NOT apply any sealer to the header gaskets, they don't need it, period. And go back and retighten the header bolts. You may have to retighten them several times , about once a week for a month or so before they quit shrinking. Finally excercise a little more patience, nobody said modifying your car was easy.

 

[EL1NOR]

thanks for the reply D.Hearne... this is what? The 5th time you've helped me out??

The instructions for the headers said to use the sealant so I did...

As far as removing the emissions stuff.... what about the "Tube Assembly Exhaust Air Supply" that bolts onto the sides of both the cylinder heads?? If I take them out I'm just going to have open holes in my heads aren't I??

I just don't want to take things off and leave open holes or problems for my car... I'm not even sure if there's a plug for them if I remove 'em.

Exceptionally Confused,
-Tim

 

[EL1NOR]

why is it whenever I have a serious/urgent question, no one attempts to help?

Do I need to put "TCP" in my title?

 

[Max Power]

Not sure about the older heads, but the 70s emissions heads have a big tuber that goes into the head by the firewall. Ford makes a plug for it that is only a buck or two. Any hole can be plugged.

 

[D.Hearne]

Not sure about the older heads, but the 70s emissions heads have a big tuber that goes into the head by the firewall. Ford makes a plug for it that is only a buck or two. Any hole can be plugged.

I second that

 

[D.Hearne]

thanks for the reply D.Hearne... this is what? The 5th time you've helped me out??

The instructions for the headers said to use the sealant so I did...

As far as removing the emissions stuff.... what about the "Tube Assembly Exhaust Air Supply" that bolts onto the sides of both the cylinder heads?? If I take them out I'm just going to have open holes in my heads aren't I??

I just don't want to take things off and leave open holes or problems for my car... I'm not even sure if there's a plug for them if I remove 'em.

Exceptionally Confused,
-Tim

Maybe I'm too old, but, I've never read the instructions that came with any of the several sets of new headers I've bought over the years. Maybe that's why I've never used, or heard of using sealant on header gaskets. The best gaskets I've used so far are the newer "black" Mr Gasket ones. I'm using a used ( I don't throw out old parts that look like they can be used again ) set on the 5.0 in my 89 Ranger right now with Tri-Y's and they've never leaked

 

[Great68]

Ford makes a plug for it that is only a buck or two. Any hole can be plugged.

Crap, my AFR heads are the smog legal ones and when I bought the plugs from ford they were 20 bucks a piece

 

[D.Hearne]

Crap, my AFR heads are the smog legal ones and when I bought the plugs from ford they were 20 bucks a piece

yea, but that's CANADIAN dollars Welcome To CANADA

 

[TT670]

Crap, my AFR heads are the smog legal ones and when I bought the plugs from ford they were 20 bucks a piece

You got ripped off, I just paid $9.85 for a package of 2 ford head inserts. If you dont need the accessory mouting ability of the insert you can just use large allen head set screws.

 

[dolfan87]

I don't even use a gasket on my headers. Copper RTV them, and you will never have a leak.

87

 

[EL1NOR]

I just finished installing the passenger side... SOOOOOO much easier than the driver's side (no Z-bar, etc)...

I left the holes on the carb open where the 2 tubes connected and took off the tubes with the exhaust manifold as one piece. There are still several hoses and misc. crap that are emissions pieces and I am not in the mood to figure out how to remove them and plug up all the holes, including the 2 on the cylinder heads and the one on the intake manifold... but I'll get around to it later I guarantee.

The leak on the drivers side has stopped. I re-tightened the bolts before starting it up. But the passenger side is leaking so I let it run and now I'll let it cool off over night before I re-tighten them tomorrow and see if it works like the drivers side did.

Thanks for the help so far guys,
-Tim

 

[mdjay]

I've hated my car millions of times. Never used sealer on header gaskets though...

 

[67coupestang]

You got ripped off, I just paid $9.85 for a package of 2 ford head inserts. If you dont need the accessory mouting ability of the insert you can just use large allen head set screws.

HA I spent 2 bucks on bolts and cut them short enough to fit then wrenched them in no leaks

 

[10secgoal]

FIRST TIME youv'e hated your car. Haven't been doin' this long eh ? I hate mine like once a week at least.